What income is used to calculate Medicare Part B premiums?

Asked by: Chelsey Smitham  |  Last update: February 19, 2025
Score: 4.2/5 (23 votes)

This is based on your "modified adjusted gross income" (MAGI). Your MAGI is your total adjusted gross income and tax-exempt interest income. If you file your taxes as "married, filing jointly" and your MAGI is greater than $212,000, you'll pay higher premiums for your Part B and Medicare prescription drug coverage.

What income is part B premium based on?

The monthly Part B premium that includes an income-related adjustment for 2025 will range from $259.00 to $628.90, depending on the extent to which an individual beneficiary's modified adjusted gross income exceeds $106,000 (or $212,000 for a married couple).

What income is used to determine Medicare premiums in 2024?

What income is counted for Medicare premiums? Your Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI), which includes total gross income and certain non-taxable Social Security benefits, determines your Medicare premium.

How to calculate modified adjusted gross income for Medicare Part B?

Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) is the sum of:
  1. the beneficiary's adjusted gross income (AGI) (found on line 11 of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) tax filing form 1040), plus.
  2. tax-exempt interest income (line 2a of IRS Form 1040).

What line on 1040 determines Medicare premiums?

MAGI is calculated as Adjusted Gross Income (line 11 of IRS Form 1040) plus tax-exempt interest income (line 2a of IRS Form 1040). The table below details the base premium amount you'll pay for Medicare in 2024 depending on your MAGI and filing status, inclusive of any additional IRMAA surcharge.

Your Income Impacts What You Pay for Medicare | Part B & D

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What income level triggers higher Medicare premiums?

If you file your taxes as "married, filing jointly" and your MAGI is greater than $212,000, you'll pay higher premiums for your Part B and Medicare prescription drug coverage. If you file your taxes using a different status, and your MAGI is greater than $106,000, you'll pay higher premiums.

How to determine modified adjusted gross income?

MAGI is adjusted gross income (AGI) plus these, if any: untaxed foreign income, non-taxable Social Security benefits, and tax-exempt interest. For many people, MAGI is identical or very close to adjusted gross income. MAGI doesn't include Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

What income is used to determine Medicare premiums for 2025?

So, for 2025, the SSA looks at your 2023 tax returns to see if you must pay an IRMAA. IRMAA is calculated every year. That means if your income is higher or lower year after year, your IRMAA status can change.

How do I estimate my adjusted gross income?

Start with your total (gross) income from all sources. This includes wages, tips, interest, dividends, capital gains, business income, retirement income and other forms of taxable income. From your gross income, subtract certain adjustments such as: Alimony payments.

Does everyone pay $170 for Medicare Part B?

Most people pay no premiums for Part A. For Medicare Part B in 2025, most beneficiaries will pay $185 per month. Certain factors may require you to pay more or less than the standard Medicare Part B premium in 2025.

Why is Social Security no longer paying Medicare Part B?

There could be several reasons why Social Security stopped withholding your Medicare Part B premium. One common reason is that your income has exceeded the threshold for premium assistance. Another reason could be that there was a mistake or error in your records.

Will my Medicare premiums go down if my income goes down?

If you've had a life-changing event that reduced your household income, you can ask to lower the additional amount you'll pay for Medicare Part B and Part D.

Can I deduct Medicare Part B premiums on my taxes?

Can you deduct Medicare Part B payments on your taxes? You can, but only if medical expenses exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income and you're itemizing deductions.

How are Medicare premiums calculated for 2024?

So, the SSA looks at your 2022 tax returns to see if you must pay an IRMAA in 2024. For 2024, beneficiaries whose 2022 income exceeded $103,000 (individual return) or $206,000 (joint return) pay a total premium amount ranging from $244.60 to $594 depending on income.

Does Medicare check your income every year?

Each fall, when we ask the IRS for information to determine next year's premiums, we ask for tax information to verify your reports of changes affecting your income-related monthly adjustment amounts, if any. We also ask the IRS for your two-year-old MAGI if we've temporarily used three-year-old MAGI.

How do I avoid Part B premium?

If you don't qualify to delay Part B, you'll need to enroll during your Initial Enrollment Period to avoid paying the penalty. You may refuse Part B without penalty if you have creditable coverage, but you have to do it before your coverage start date.

How do I figure out my gross income?

In short, gross income is a person's total earnings prior to taxes or other deductions. It includes all income received from all sources: including money, property, and the value of services received. Gross income is reduced by adjustments and deductions before taxes are calculated.

Is social security included in adjusted gross income?

The 1983 amendments require beneficiaries to pay income tax on their benefits if their modified adjusted gross income ( AGI )—which includes one-half of Social Security benefit income—is greater than $25,000 for single beneficiaries and $32,000 for married couples (Table 1).

How to calculate adjusted income?

The process for calculating adjusted income
  1. 1) Identify the amounts of income on which the taxpayer is charged to income tax for the tax year. ...
  2. 2) Deduct from the components the amount of any relief under a provision listed in relation to the taxpayer in section 24 to which the taxpayer is entitled for the tax year.

How to calculate income for Medicare premiums?

The amount you pay depends on your modified adjusted gross income from your most recent federal tax return. To determine your 2025 income-related premium, Social Security will use information from your tax return filed in 2023 for tax year 2022.

What is the new Medicare rule for 2025?

Beginning January 1, 2025, people with Part D plans through traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans with prescription drug coverage won't pay more than $2,000 over the calendar year in out-of-pocket costs for their prescription medications.

Does Social Security count as income for extra help?

We will count only part of the applicant's earnings toward the income limit if the applicant: Works; ▪ Receives Social Security benefits based on a disability or blindness; and ▪ Has work-related expenses that are not reimbursed.

How do I calculate my adjusted gross income?

Calculating your AGI requires just two steps:
  1. Gather all your income statements for taxable income: salary, self-employment, and any income reported on Forms 1099 forms. Add them up to arrive at your total or gross income.
  2. Subtract allowable deductions and expenses from the sum.

How can I reduce my modified adjusted gross income?

Strategies to Reduce MAGI for High Earners
  1. Making Pre-tax Contributions to Retirement Plans. ...
  2. Utilizing Health Savings Accounts. ...
  3. Understanding the Impact of Capital Gains and Losses. ...
  4. Leveraging Student Loan Interest Deduction. ...
  5. Taking Advantage of Adoption Tax Credit. ...
  6. Health Insurance Premium Deductions.

Is social security included in Magi for Irmaa?

The calculation for IRMAA MAGI (Modified Adjusted Gross Income) includes just the taxable portion of Social Security. This comes from the Social Security Handbook here, which states: “Modified Adjusted Gross Income is the sum of: The beneficiary's adjusted gross income (AGI), plus.